Thursday, August 18, 2011

39/365 The Paper Princess by Elisa Kleven

Gee, I haven't read this in years. Yes, it is a picture book. It is also wonderful. One of the best kids' books I think we've got around the house. And gorgeous! The illustrations are collage-things, and downright fantastic.

It's a simple kind of story - but not a bit boring. The princess has to deal with a lot of trauma - separation from her little girl, getting crumpled up, a horrible hairstyle - but she faces it all bravely. Maybe it's because I'm just in a "chill, man" kind of mood, but it seemed a very peaceful sort of story.
I remember loving - loving - this book when I was little, and I think that's definitely a big point in its favor. It was, you know, written for kids. So I guess it's just as well.

CONCLUSION: I'll read it to my kids, if I ever have any.

If I end up as an illustrator (which, what with after getting through today's drawing class without wanting to weep, seems less impossible than usual), I will have to come up with some sort of, "Oh I ALWAYS knew this is what I wanted to do" story to scare the guts out of wishy washy people like me with - and I think I'll use The Paper Princess for my story. Because - ahem! - when I was five I drew this:

Which, really, isn't so shabby. I will not use "The Mouse and The Giant" (c. third grade) for my intimidation story. My friend Bradi and I made it one afternoon, and even through I was the illustrator (we came up with the story and she wrote it - her cursive was better), I unfortunately wrestled away the privilege of writing the title on the cover, and it came out "The Mouse and the Ginte." So... we'll stick with the paper princess.